Start young

The Donahues both started saving for retirement when they were in their 20s.

Name: Chis and Laurie Donahue

Age: 55

City: Naperville, Ill.

Saved: More than $2 million (together)

After decades of saving, Chris and Laurie Donahue have both accumulated million-dollar nest eggs.

Each started saving as soon as they began collecting a regular paycheck in their 20s."We've been at this for 33 years and have never stopped investing, even when the markets go crazy," he said.

Donahue, who works in the tech industry, said he was putting away more than 10% of his earnings when he was earning around $22,500 a year in 1981. Now, he earns six-figures, making it much easier to set aside that kind of money.